Sofa bed



Nov. 2, 1943. M FI BAYER 2,333,98?

SOFA BED 4 sheets-sheet 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. F. BAYER SF'A BED Fild Feb. 21, 1940 f5@ MHUWIMUIUMQ ATTORNEYS.

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Nov. 2, 1943. M. F. BAYER 2,333,087

SOFA BED Filed Feb. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

M. F. BAYER Nov. 2, 1943.

SOFAA BED Filed Feb. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Shed'l 4 I tuuu INVENTOR. V /Zzz'/zw BW/@ra BY l y L ATTORNEYS.

YPatented Nov. 2, 1943 sosa manV Matthew iF. Bayer, Kenosha, Wis., assigner to Simmons Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation o! Delaware Application February 21, 1940, Serial No. 320,063

8 Claims. (Cl. 5-13) This invention relates to improvements in sofa. beds and has particular reference to a sofa bed construction wherein therel are a seat section and a number oi other sections adjustably mounted and adapted to be displaced from a folded, sofa-forming position to an extended or bed-forming position.

The main objects of the invention are to provide a sofa bed of the character indicated which may be converted from a sofa to a bed easily and quickly; to provide an arrangement in which very little unsupported weight requires handling by the person operating the structure; to provide a structure which in both its sofa and bed positions is rigidly maintained in such position and which is secure against accidental collapsing; to provide a structure having the indicated characteristics and which is relatively simple in respect of its production requirements; and in general, it is'the object of the invention to provide an improved sofa bed of the character indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following lspecification and accompanying drawings (four sheets) .wherein there is disclosed a sofa bed embodying a selected form of the invention.

. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustrating a typical sofa bed, the structure being shown in extended or bed position in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-section similar to Figure 2 but at one end of the structure, so as to illustrate the folding mechanism in elevation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail elevation similar to a portion of Figure 3 but wherein certain elements are omitted or shown in dotted lines so as to more clearly illustrate other elements;

Figure 5, is a plan view of one end portion of the structure as indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the structure extended into bed position;

Figure 7 is a plan of one end portionof the structure when extended as shown in Figure 6; y

Figure 8 is a perspective illustrating a detail of construction shown in Figures 'I and 8;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 3; and

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are illustrations similar to Figure 6 but showing successive steps in the operation` of folding the structure from bed position to sofa position.

The improved sofa bed structure comprises- (see Figure 6 for clearest illustration) a main and normally stationary frame structure embodying an angle iron bottom frame of generallyr rectangular form. the same being designated in its entirety by the reference numeral I4, said frame being suitably supported in predetermined spaced relation to the floor level by any suitable form of leg structure indicated at I5.

The frame, at each end of the sofa bed, comprises a horizontal, lower member Ila, an upright rear or back member I8, a corner brace 20 extending diagonally between said members I4a and I8 for rigidly maintaining the same in fixed relation to each other, and a post 2| extending upwardly from the front end of the member Ma., The frame members Ila at the opposite ends of the sofa bed are rigidly connected by longitudinal front and rear members IIb and llc. Said frame also comprises, at each'end of the structure, a back rest end member I6 which extends downwardly and forwardly from the upper portion of the rear member I8 and a strut I9 which extends between the rear member I8 and the lower portion of said back rest member I6 `for. maintaining said members I8- and I6 inflxed relationship to each other. `The upper ends of the rear members I8 at opposite ends of the sofa bed are connected by means of alongitudinal top member I8a and the lower ends of said members I8 are connected by means of a longitudinal bottom member IGa. Said frame members are preferably formed of angle iron but other ma.- terial may, of course, be used. A suitable cushion I1 is preferably xedly vmounted in the back rest frame.

The structure which is collapsible or foldable and adjustable from bed position to sofa position,

comprises four sections, respectively designated '22, 23, 24 and 25, each ofk such sections being hingedlyconnected to the other and each of said sections preferably being provided with angle iron frame elements which support suitable exible bed bottom fabric. i

VThe end or innersection 22 comprises anglev cured to the vertical flange of an angle iron end member 30 of an outer section 23.

The ends of the frame members 30 adjacent the pivotal connection 28 are maintained in proper spaced relation by means of a suitable spacing tube 3| which is rigidly connected at its ends to the respective frame members 30. As indicated, the spacer 3| is of more or less U-shape, so that the main length thereof is spaced downwardly from the plane of the angle iron frame of the foldable sections so as to avoid interference with resilient movement of the overlying bed bottom fabric.

The frame members 30 of the said outer section 23 have their other ends pivotally connected as indicated at 32 to the adjacent ends of the end frame elements 33 of another outwardly disposed section 24, which, for reasons which will presently appear, may be termed the front section.

The extended outer sections 23 and 24 are supported adjacent the pivot connection 32 by means of legs such as indicated at 34, one at each end. Thesaid legs are rigidly connected by means of an angle iron tie member 35 and the upper ends of the legs are provided with rigidly attached extension members 36, which are 'pivotally connected as shown at 31 to bracket members such as indicated at 38. The bracket members 38 are rigidly secured to the end members 38 of the outer section 23 which is disposed intermediate the sections 22 and 24 and hence may be called an intermediate section. The rigid spacing of the legs 34 by the member 35 serves also to maintain the end members 30 of the intermediate section in properly spaced relation, thereby cooperating with the spacer 3| to maintain the end members 30 of the' section 23 in parallel, predetermined coplanar position.

The front section 24, as already indicated, comprises the end members 33 pivoted as indicated at 32 to extended portions of the brackets 38. At their opposite ends said end members 33 are provided with bracket members 39 which are rigidly secured to the vertical flanges of said end members and extended therebeyond and pivotally connected as shown at 48 to an angle iron bracket element 4|, forming a part of the frame structure of the section 25. For reasons which will presently appear, the section 25 may becalled a seat section. Like the other sections, it embodies angle iron end members such as shown at 42, the same being spaced apart by means of a longitudinally extending angle iron member 43.

The longitudinally extending member 43 is secured to the lower ends of portions marked 44 which depend from the adjacent ends of the end members 42, the longitudinal member 43 being disposed in the plane of the angle iron members of the other sections and the end members 42 being offset from said plane as shown. The bracket members 4I are connected through 'the agency of brackets such as indicated at 45 (see Figure 8) to the end members 42 in downwardly offset relationship thereto, so as to lie in the same plane as the longitudinal member 43 and the end members of the other sections.

Suitable bed bottom fabric as clearly shown in Figure '1 is stretched between the opposite end members of each section and between the longitudinal frame member 21 of the end section 22, and the longitudinal member 43 of the seat section 25. Said fabric may consist of more or less conventional interlaced wires connected at their ends to the respective frame members through the agency of helical coil springs. Said fabric is provided with a longitudinally extending flexible metal slat 46, connected through the agency of suitable helicals to the bracket members 4| of the seat section frame. It will presently be shown that said slat member is disposed adjacent the front or free edge of the seat section when the latter is in seat-forming position and thereby. serves to provide a desirable degree of support for the forward edge of the seat cushions. 'I'he longitudinally extending wire elements of the bed fabric within the seat section are connected through the agency of suitable helical springs as shown to transversely extending flexible metal slats 41 (see Figures 5, 6 and 7), which inturn are resiliently supported by helical spring connections to the longitudinally extending frame member 43 and the free end of a post part 48 o1' a front section finishing panel structure, which will presently be described.

It will be observed by reference to Figures 6 and '1 that the end frame members 42 of the seat section 25 are not only offset vertically relative to the normal plane of the end frame members of the other sections, but are also offset laterally outwardly so as to increase the over-all length of the said section. Legs such as shown at 43 pivotally connected at their upper ends as shown at 58 to the end members 42 of the seat section are provided for supporting the seat section when in bed position.

The finishing panel structure previously mentioned comprises suitable angle iron end members such 'as indicated at 5| which are rigidly connected at their upper ends by means of a longitudinally extending angle iron member 52. Said post element 48 which supports one end of the transversely extending metal strips 41 is rigidly mounted in the corner of the frame structure formed by said end members 5| and longitudinal member 52. Said finishing panel structure is provided with bracket extension members 53 rigidly secured to the respective posts 48 and extended, so as to provide for pivotally connecting the finishing panel structure to said seat section bracket 4 I, as indicated at 54.

'I'he other ends of the respective end members 5| of the finishing panel are connected by means of links such as indicated at 55 to the legs 34. A suitably ornamented or upholstered front 58 may be attached to the finishing panel frame structure.

The leg 49 is connected to the finishing panel structure so as to cause the leg to be automatically folded and unfolded as an incident to the folding and unfolding of the bed-forming sections. 'Ihe arrangement herein disclosed comprises a link 51 pivoted as indicated at 58 to a bracket part 59 carried by the finishing panel structure and pivoted at its other end as indicated at 60 to an arm 6| which extends from and is rigidly secured to the leg 49. The arm 6| is provided at its upper end with a lip 62 which is adapted to vengage the upper surface of the seat section end frame member 42 The leg 34 is also provided with means for e effecting automatic folding and unfolding of the leg as an incident to the folding and unfolding of the bed-forming sections. The automatic actuating means herein shown comprises a link 53 end section 22.

11a to the end section 22.

member 69 which is rigidly secured to the end frame member 30 of the intermediate section 23. The outer or free end of the bell crank arm 61 is pivoted as indicated at in a bracket 1| provided for that purpose, and carried by the main frame |4. The pivot mounting 10 is effected through the agencyy of a cross shaft 12 which extends to the other side of the structure where it has a corresponding leg actuating bell crank secured to it so as to insure simultaneous and uniform folding movement of the structure even though the operator may operate the structure from a position nearer one end than the other.

. Coil springs such as indicated at 13 and connected between the upper ends of the upstanding frame posts 2| and the respective bell cranks near their pivot mountings 68 serve both to assist the operator in effecting folding and unfolding of the structure and to cushion the opening and closing movements thereof.

The end section 22 is supported at its free side and at each end thereof by means of a double link connection to the back rest structure. Such connection as herein shown comprises links 14 and 15 respectively pivotally connected adjacent their upper ends to the frame member I9 and at their lower ends to a bracket member 16 which isv rigidly secured to the frame member of the said This double link connection between the end section 22 and the frame work of the back serves to cause said end section to move in its entirety, through a. predetermined, fixed path of travel between folded and unfolded positions. In other words, the double link connection serves to positively or completely control all movement of the end section 22.

At the free end of the end section 22 there is provided an auxiliary section or mattress support 11 which is pivotally connected as indicated at Said mattress support 11 is also supported and controlled by means of a link 11b which is pivoted at its lower end to the frame 11 and at its upper end as indicated at11c to the back rest structure.

When the structure is in its extended position as shown in Figure' 6, the sections are supported in their coplanar bed'position by means of the double link structure 14, 15, which connects the end section 22 to the back rest frame and constitute hangers for said outer section 22, by the legs 34 and 49 and by the bell crank arms 61 and their connections to the legs 34.

When the structure is to be folded to form a sofa, the seat section is first rocked upwardly at its free side about its pivot connections 40 with the front section 24. Such upward folding movement is continued until the seat section assumes a position substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front section 24, substantially as indicated in Figure 10 of the drawings.

Incident to such folding movement, the front finishing panel structure 5| is swung upwardly approximately as indicated and folding movement of the leg 49 initiated. Such folding movement is, of course, incident to the swinging movement imparted to the front finishing section 5| and the link connection 51 between said finishing panel and the leg 49. The initial folding movement of the seat section. 25 relative to the front section 24 is limited by engagement of the end of the bracket member 45 with the top edge end frame member of the front section 24, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figures 6, '1, 8 and 10.

The further folding of the structure is effected by continuing the folding movement of the seatforming section 25 and the front-forming section 24 as a unit about the pivotal connection 32 between said front-forming section and the intermediate section 23. Such folding movement is limited by means of link connections comprising links such as indicated at 18 which are pivotally mounted as at 19 on brackets carried by the frame elements of the front section and, slidably connected at their other ends as indicated at to the frame members 30 of said intermediate section. The said sliding connection includes a slot 8| in each end frame element 30 which restricts the sliding movement ofthe end 80 of thelink 18.

The unitary folding movement of the seat sec'- tion and front section is continued until the seat section assumes an overlying, substantially parallel relation to the intermediate section 23 as best shown in Figure 11, the front section being then disposed transversely of both the intermediate and seat sections.

Incident to such movement, the front finishing panel 56 is adjusted to a position closely adjacent the then front surface of the front section 24, although -slightly angularly disposed relative thereto as shown in Figure l1. The folding movement of the leg 49 ls nearly completed but the leg 34 remains in its operative supporting position so as to adequately support the partially folded structure at its outer end.

It will be observed that during the folding movement thus far explained, the operator has been required to handle only the unsupported weight of the outer end or side of the seat section until the same reaches its vertical position as shown in Figure 10. Thereafter, the weight of said section is operative to effect the continued folding movement thereof together with the folding movement of the front section 24, and parts associated therewith. Hence the initial folding movements are easily effected.

Further folding movement is eiected by lifting upwardly the outer end of the partially folded structure, swinging the same upwardly about the pivot connection 68 between said intermediate Y.

section 23 and said bell crank arms 66, 61. Such upward swinging movement requires no strong lifting force since the folded structure is nearly but not quite balanced on the pivots 68. In addii tion, the weight of the end section 22, transmitted through its pivotal connections 28 to said intermediate section 23, is added to the weight of the partially folded structure on the adjacent side of the pivots 6B to thereby assist said rockin-g of the structure on the pivots 68.

Simultaneously with such rocking of the partially folded structure, it is moved toward the back rest in a path of movement determined by the rocking of the bell crank arms 61. Such movement is facilitated by the force of the coun-l terbalancing coil springs 13 which are in a stretched or tensioned condition when the bed structure is extended. During such movement, the section 23 is folded relative to the section 22v about the pivotal connections 28 therebetween, such folding movement continuing until the respective sections reach a position of approximately perpendicular relation to each other as illustrated in Figure 12. Thereafter, continued folding movement of the entire folding structure is effected substantially as a, unit and results in restoring the seat and intermediate sections to a substantially horizontal position, and movement of the end section 22 into a substantially vertical position behind the. back rest substantially as shown in Figure 2.

It will be observed that during the movement of the folding structure from the position illustrated in Figure 11 to the position illustrated in Figure 2, the counterbalancing springs 18 will initially assist the folding movement but that towards the end thereof they will act as a checking or cushioning means to ease the structure to its final folded position. Thus the operator is not required to support any substantial amount of the weight of the folded structure during its cradled movement from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 2.

A suitable folding mattress is provided, the same comprising three sections respectively designated 82, 83 and 84, the same having hinge connections with each other as indicated at 85 and 86. The said hinge connections 85 and 85 are so located relative to the hinge connections between the sections 22 to 25, inclusive, that the mattress will fold upon itself as an incident 'to the folding movement of the last mentioned sections.

The mattress is preferably tied in any suitable manner well known to those skilled in the art near its outer end to the seat section 25. During the initial folding movement of the structure, i. e.. from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 10, the mattress sections 82 and 83 will be caused to slide lengthwise over the upper surfaces of the sections 22, 23 and 24, since the thickness of the section 84 must be accommodated over the front section 24 within area which initially was covered by a portion of ythe mattress section 83. Since the mattress is of relatively lightweight, and since there is no substantial resistance to such sliding movement. is slides easily and automatically as an incident to the initial folding movement of the section 25. The free end portion of the section 82 is permitted to slide under the lower edge of the back rest as shown in Figure 11, such end then extending beyond the corresponding side member 21 of the end section 22.

The aforementioned mattress support 11 serves to receive and support the mattress portion which is thus projected beyond the free end of the end section 22. During the iinal stages of the folding movement, the mattress support 11 is swung upwardly so as to bend the overlying end portion of the mattress upwardlyv and inwardly to maintain the same within the connes of the back structure of the sofa bed. This eifect is obtained by reason of the link 11b and its operative relation to the supporting links 14 and 15 for the adjacent end of the bed section 22.

When the structure is in its folded position as shown in Figure 2, the seat section 25 is: supported at its outer or front end by reason of its connections to the vertically disposed front section 24, and the front finishing panel frame structure by means 0f which the bed spring fabric, including the supporting slats 41, is supported. Said front finishing panel frame 5i comes to rest at its lower end as indicated at 88 on the upper edge of the underlying portion of the main frame I4. Hence, it may be said that the front panel structure 5I constitutes the front of the seat section 25 when in seat-forming position.

The rearward portion of the seat section is supported when in seat position as shown in Figure 3 by means of the then upwardly extending bell crank arm 68 which is provided with a suitable roller 88 at its pivot connection with the link 88. The roller 88 engages the horizontal nange of the then overlying end frame member 42 oi.' said seat section.

The arm 88 is supported by the intermediate seat section 28 to which it is pivoted, and the latter is in turn supportedagainst downward movement when in its folded position as shown in Figure 3by engagement with the connecting member 85of the legs 84. vBy examination of Figure 3 it will be seen that the arrangement is such that the various parts come to a locked posi.- tion wherein the seat section 25 is firmly supported in its seat section.-

Incident to the rocking of the bell crank arms 88 and 81 during the folding movement of the structure as described. the leg 84 will be autofmatically swung to a folded position as illus- 'trated in Figures 2 and 8.

By reason of the described odset arrangement of the end frame members 42 of the seat section 25, the seat section is somewhat widened to provide support for seat cushions well up to tbe inner faces of the side arms 8| without the presence cf any rigid frame element which might impair the comfort characteristic of the soia adiacent its ends. Also, it will be observed that the other sections of the structure are slightly narrower, so that they clear the inside faces of the side arms 8l, thereby avoiding undue wear on the upholstery or other finish of said side arms.

The width of the structure is preferably such that when it is extended tc bedposition, it will constitute, in effect, a double bed. However, this dimension may be varied considerably.

Other changes in the structure may also be made without departing from `the invention as dened in the following claims which are directed to the principles involved in the described structure, rather than to 'the obviouslyvariable details thereof.'

I claim:

l. A sofa bed of the class described comprising a normally stationary frame, said frame having a base member and an upwardly extending b ack, a foldable bed bottom comprising sections which, when the bed bottom is folded, constitute respectively a seat section, a front section depending from said seat section. an intermediate section extending rearwardly from said front section beneath said seat section, and an end section extending upwardly from said intermediate section behind a portion of said back, a link extending between said base member and said intermediate section for movably mounting said foldable bed bottom on said stationary frame, and a pair of links extending between said end section and a portionof said frame disposed forwardly of said end section when the latter is in folded position, said pair of links being operative to cause said end section to move in its entirety through a xed path of travel between its folded .sition forwardly of said back rest'part, means connecting said section to said main frame for such movement, and a mattress support hinged assaosv l base part and a back part, a foldable bed bot-A to said section and connected to said frame so ylas to be movable substantially withinl the confines of the sofa between a mattress supporting position in which said support extends upwardly from said section and a position in which said support approximates a co-planar relation to 'said section when .in bed position, said lmattress support being operative to receive an end portion of a mattress caused to moveedgewise from said section as an incident to the folding of said bed bottom.

3. A sofa bed of the class described comprising a main frame having a back rest part, a foldable bed bottom having a section movable from a folded, vertically disposed position behind said back rest part to a horizontally disposed, bed position forwardly of said back rest part, a pair of links each having one end connected to said section and its other end connected to a portion of said main frame foiwardly of the folded position of the section, said links serving' to cause said section to move in its entirety through a fixed path of travel between its folded and bed positions, a mattress support hinged to said section and extending upwardly therefrom for supporting a mattress portion when the bed-bottom is folded, and a link connecting said section with a portion of said main frame forwardly of the support when in said upwardly extending position, said support being movable substantially within the confines of-the sofa from said upwardly extending position to a position in which said support approximates a co-planar relation to said section when in bed position, said maty tr'ess support being operative to receive an end portion of a mattress caused to move edgewise from said section as an incident to the folding of said bed bottom. f

4. A sofa bed of the class described comprising a main frame having a back rest part, a foldable bed bottom comprising hingedly connected sections which are movable from folded position within the confines of the sofa to bed position wherein the. sections are disposed in substantially co-planar relation, one of said sections being substantially vertically disposed behind said back .rest part when the bed bottom is folded, a mattress support extending upwardly from said last mentioned section and hingedly connected thereto, means at each side of the sofa bed movably mounting said foldable bed bottom on said main frame to permit unfolding of said sections from j said folded position to said bed position, a mattress comprising 'portions hinged together for folding with the sections of the foldable bed bottom, the mattress being of such size as to overlie only said bed bottom sections when in bed position and one portion of `the mattress being secured in xed relation to one of said sections, the other mattress portions being slidable on the other bed bottom sections and the thickness of the mattress being such that when said sections and the mattress are folded from bed position to folded position, the slidable portions of the mattressare caused to slide over said other sectom mounted on said `frame and comprising a plurality of sections adapted to be adjusted from folded position, wherein they cooperate with said back partto form a,y sofa, to substantially coplanar bed position extending outwardly fromY said back part, the bed bottom comprisingfoldably connected sections one of which extends upwardly behind said back part when the bed bottom is folded, a foldable mattress on said bed bottom of such thickness as to require endwise movement of the mattress relative to certain of the bed bottoml sections incident to the folding thereof, the mattress being anchored to the bed,

which extends upwardly behind said back part when the bed bottom is folded, and means carried by said upwardly extending bed bottom section for receiving and maintaining the projected portion of the mattress within the confines of the sofa when the bed bottom is folded.

6. In a sofa bed structure, a normallyv stationary frame, a foldable bed bottom which, when folded, comprises an inner section which extends upwardly at the rear of the structure and an outer section which is hingedly connected to said inner section and extends outwardly therefrom, an arm extending between a lower part of said frame and a point on said outer section outwardly of the hinge connection between said sections, and at each side of the sofa bed, a pair of links each extending between a point on said inner section and a point on said frame disposed outwardly of said inner section when the latter is in folded position, said pair of links being operative to cause said inner section to move in its entirety through a fixed path of travel between its upwardly extending, folded position and an unfolded, horizontally extending bed position, while the hinge connection between said sections cooperates with said arm to guide the folding and unfolding movement of said outer section.

, '7. In a sofa bed structure, a normally stationary frame, a foldable bed bottom which, when folded, comprises an inner section which extends upwardly at the rear of the structure and an outer section which is hingedly connected to said inner section and extends outwardly therefrom,

an arm extending between a lower part of said frame and a point on said outer section outwardly of the hinge connection between said sections, and at each side of the sofay bed, a pair of links each extending between a point on said inner section and a point on said frame disposed outwardly of said inner section when the latter is in folded position and above bed level of saidsection, said pair of links constituting hangers for said inner section when in bed position and being operative to cause said inner section to move in its entirety through a fixed path of travel between its upwardly extending, folded position and an unfolded, horizontally extending bed position, while the hinge connection between said sections cooperates with said arm to guide the termediate section, said sections being disposed in end to end relation and having their respectively adjacent ends hingedly connected for folding and unfolding movement, and, at each side of the sofa, bed, a pair of-links connecting said end section and said stationary frame i'or causing said end section in its entirety to move through a. nxed path of travel'between its upwardly extending, folded position and en unfolded. horizontally extending bed position,and link means extending between said-stationary frame and said interl.mediate section for guiding the folding and unfolding movement thereof.

' MATTHEW F. BAYER. 

